NSERC USRA
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - Undergraduate Student Research Program in the Faculty of Engineering
Awards Partially funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Applications must be received by the end of the day on February 1, 2024.
What are these awards for?
The USRA program is meant to stimulate students’ interest in research in Engineering and to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields. If you would like to gain research experience in an academic setting, a USRA can provide you with financial support through Dalhousie University.
Are you eligible for an Engineering award?
Students must:
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
• Be registered (at the time of application) as a full-time student, preference for students in the BEng program in the Faculty of Engineering.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of B (3.00) or better over the previous years of study at Dalhousie. These awards are competitive and preference may be given to students with CGPAs above 3.7, the normal cut-off for consideration for awards by the Faculty Scholarships and Awards Committee.
• Have completed all the course requirements of their first year of studies of their program at the time of application (have final grades). For engineering students this means that all Year 1 (Diploma) courses must be completed at the time of application.
• During tenure of the award, be supervised as a full-time research Engineering Faculty member.
• Students may not register for any classes during a term when a USRA is held.
• Students can also apply to work with a faculty member in the Faculty of Science, but in that case would need to apply for a Science USRA - for details, speak to the science faculty member. The Faculty of Science application process differs from ours.
For more information on NSERC’s rules and eligibility see:
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp
What is the value and duration of the awards?
NSERC funds each award at $6000 and each supervisor is required to supplement the award. The supplement varies by supervisor but must provide a supplement that meets the minimum wage requirements for the province of Nova Scotia. Awards are tenable during the period May 1 through August 31. All awards must be for a period of 16 consecutive weeks arranged at the mutual convenience of the student and the supervisor within this time period, and students are paid monthly.
What is the application deadline?
February 1, 2024
How do you find a supervisor?
Students are free to contact any of their Engineering instructors or faculty members to see if they are interested in supervising them (making a match).
How do you apply?
STUDENT
Only prospective USRA candidates, who have been advised by their proposed supervisor that they are a match, may move on to the next steps:
-Log onto NSERC on-line system and complete Part I of Form 202
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp
-(the link to the login is located in the “Application Forms” section in the Overview
-Select “login to the System” or “Register as a New User”
-Select Form 202 Part I under “For Students and Fellows”
-Complete all modules shown on the left-hand side of the screen. Include the @dal email address.
-Attach a copy of their official transcript requested from the Registrar’s Office. Official transcripts must be attached to the application no later than Feb 20. You can request transcripts be sent to you by the Registrar’s Office on DalOnline in the student menu (simply enter your information [name and email address] as the recipient.
-“Verify” the form on the “My Portfolio” screen until the report shows it is “Completed”
-Forward the reference number provided by the system to your potential supervisor.
SUPERVISOR:
The supervisor must: Wait for their student to complete Part I, then:
-Log onto NSERC on-line system using the same login as for their NSERC grant (for forgotten passwords contact On-Line Services Helpdesk.)
-Select Form 202 Part II under the heading Forms-Researcher.
-Enter the reference number for the student with whom they have agreed to submit an application, and complete all the modules necessary to create Part II.
-Then “Verify” the form on the “My Portfolio” screen until the report shows it is “Completed”
How are students selected for awards?
The Faculty will assess the merit of each application on the basis of the student's academic record and research aptitude. It will take into account the objectives of the USRA program set by NSERC. Applicants and prospective supervisors will be informed of the results of the competition by the Faculty of Engineering by electronic mail by March 10, 2023.
Who can I contact for more information?
Questions regarding use of the NSERC-CRSNG.GC.CA website & login: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ContactUs-ContactezNous/index_eng.asp
(Jason will not be able to help you with technical support questions related to the NSERC website)
Questions regarding the Faculty of Engineering Process:
Jason LeCoure (jason.lecoure@dal.ca)
Undergraduate Studies Office, Faculty of Engineering